The 2012 presidential election may still be a few years off, but it’s never too early to think about hypothetical matchups. One of the most intriguing — President Barack Obama vs. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — looks to be a blowout, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling.
In a prospective contest between the president and the former Republican vice presidential nominee, Obama leads with 55 percent, compared with 35 percent for Palin. Ten percent of the adults surveyed said they were undecided.
Palin’s overall favorability ratings are unimpressive: 39 percent had a favorable opinion of the Alaska governor, while 50 percent had an unfavorable opinion. And the poll showed evidence of a large gender gap.
Sixty-one percent of women held an unfavorable opinion of Palin, compared with 29 percent who had a favorable opinion.
Men gave her a 48 percent favorable rating and a 38 percent unfavorable rating.
The survey polled 691 adults March 13-15.